Schweizer sentenced to 150 months to 30 years in prison

MIO –– A Mio man was sentenced to 150 months to 30 years in prison in 23rd Circuit Court Sept. 12 after being found guilty by a jury previously of criminal sexual conduct.

Thomas Christopher Schweizer, 42, of Mio was found guilty June 29 of CSC in the second degree with a female between the ages of 11 and 13 or between the ages of 13 and 15 who lives in the same household. The assaults took place over a period of several years.

Schweizer receives credit for 736 days served.

Prior to the sentence being given, there were two disputes between the defense and prosecution concerning correct scores for offense variables including predatory conduct and victim asportation, in which the victim was lured from one location to an attic area where it would be more difficult and less likely for someone to discover and interrupt the assault. Judge David Riffle deemed that both variables needed to be scored at the maximum amount of points.

During the sentencing, both the victim and the victim’s mother gave statements to Riffle with requests for Schweizer to receive the maximum amount of time served based on the emotional and psychological toll taken on the victim and her family.

Schweizer was given the opportunity to speak in front of the court before the sentence was given as well.

“I really don’t think there’s anything I can say to help anybody,” he said. “I will always love my wife and I know it sounds pathetic but I’ve always done my best to care for her and that’s all I’ve got to say.”

Schweizer was previously charged on three counts of criminal sexual conduct in September of 2016. He was found not guilty on two counts of CSC in the first degree with a person younger than 13 on Sept. 30. However, the jury was deadlocked on the one count of CSC in the second degree. This resulted in a second trial.

When he was previously living in Grayling, Schweizer was charged with CSC in the second degree with a victim older than 13 but less than 16. On Sept. 8, 1997 Schweizer pleaded no contest to the lesser of two counts of CSC in the fourth degree in 46th Circuit Court in Crawford County.

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